Willard Keith

Willard Woodward Keith, Jr.
Born(1920-06-13)June 13, 1920
Berkeley, California, US
DiedNovember 3, 1942(1942-11-03) (aged 22)
Killed in action at Guadalcanal
AllegianceUnited States
BranchUnited States Marine Corps
Years of service1939–1942
RankCaptain
Unit2nd Battalion, 5th Marines
Battles / warsWorld War II
AwardsNavy Cross
Purple Heart
Combat Action Ribbon
Presidential Unit Citation

Willard Woodward Keith, Jr. (June 13, 1920 – November 3, 1942) was a United States Marine Corps infantry officer who was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for his heroic leadership during World War II in the Matanikau Offensive of the Guadalcanal Campaign. Two cancelled United States Navy destroyer escorts and the destroyer USS Willard Keith (DD-775) were named in his honor.